Kalanchoe plant named ‘AFRICAN SUNSHINE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata  interspecific hybrid plant named ‘African Sunshine’ characterized by a large number of petals per flower resulting in the double-type or multi-petalled trait; large petal size resulting in a large flower; the hastate and dissected young and mature leaves; the intense sunny-yellow color of petals; and the large number of flowers on each plant.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘African Sunshine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant, botanically known as K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘African Sunshine’. As used herein, “interspecific hybrid” includes the progeny from the cross of two different species of Kalanchoe, as well as, the progeny resulting from subsequent backcrossing to one of the parents.

The genus of Kalanchoe belongs to the sedum family (Crassulaceae). There are more than 100 different species of Kalanchoe, of which more than 60 are found growing wild on Madagascar, many in South Africa and a few in Asia and South America. Kalanchoe belongs to the succulent plants, which are characterized by watery leaves. The leaves enable them to stand drought in nature or on the windowsill for a longer time than most other plants, and this allows for a supreme longevity.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the Inventors, Knud Jepsen and Ellen Christensen, in Hinnerup, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to create new Kalanchoe cultivars with large flowers, numerous petals per flower, attractive flower coloration and excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the Inventors in Hinnerup, Denmark. The female parent is a proprietary selection of K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid designated ‘KJ 2000 0716’ having single-type flowers with 4 petals per flower. The female parent is described in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,509 and in European Union Community Variety Rights application serial No. 2003/0974, and is the second generation progeny of a fertile interspecific hybrid between K. blossfeldiana and K. laciniata. The male parent, designated K. blossfeldiana cultivar ‘Monroe’, is described in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,714, and has the multi-petalled double-type flower characteristic. The new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘African Sunshine’ was discovered and selected by the Inventors as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Hinnerup, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative terminal cuttings was first performed in February, 2004, in Hinnerup, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type through asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘African Sunshine’ which in combination distinguish this Kalanchoe as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. large number of petals per flower resulting in a double-type         or multi-petalled trait;     -   2. the large size of petals resulting in a large flower;     -   3. the hastate, dissected leaves on young as well as mature         leaves;     -   4. the intense sunny-yellow color of petals; and     -   5. the large number of flowers per plant.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘African Sunshine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘African Sunshine’ as grown in Hinnerup, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Plants of ‘African Sunshine’ differ from plants of the parental cultivars in the following characteristics:

New Cultivar ‘AFRICAN Female Parent Trait SUNSHINE’ ‘KJ 2000 0716’ Height of cultivar About 25 cm About 38 cm Flower Type Double-type Single-type Flower Diameter 18-22 mm 20-25 mm Flower number 250-300 500 Number of Up to 16 full or partial 4 Corolla Lobes petals Corolla From outer to center of Red-orange, Coloration flower: RHS 44B First circle Yellow, RHS 13D Next circle Yellow-orange, RHS 15D Center circle Yellow, RHS 13A Whole flower faints to light yellow-orange, RHS 21B Shape of petal The width of the petal is The width of the 7 mm. The length is 8 petal is 10 mm. mm. The shape ovate The length is 13 with mucronate apex. mm. The shape is obovate with cuspidate tip. Leaf Hastate, dissected leaves Hastate, dissected with a long petiole and leaves with a long long lamina. The leaf petiole and long apex is obtuse and the lamina. The leaf base is cunate. apex is obtuse and the base is cunate. Leaf texture The foliage is glabrous The foliage is and shining both glabrous, and more ahove and below. shining above than below. Male Parent Trait ‘Monroe’ Height of cultivar About 24 cm Flower Type Double-type Flower Diameter 16-19 mm Flower number 350-400 Number of Up to 27 full or partial Corolla Lobes petals. Corolla Up to 27 full or partial Coloration petals Shape of petal The width of the petal is 4 mm. The length is 8 mm. The shape is ovate with cuspidate tip. Leaf Obovate leaves with obtuse leaf tips and truncate bases. The leaf margin is undulate. Leaf texture The foliage is glabrous and shining both above and below.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present Inventors, the most similar in comparison to ‘African Sunshine’ is parental cultivar ‘KJ 2000 0716’. Comparing these two cultivars, the main distinction is the form and the color of the flower, as described in the preceding table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘African Sunshine’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a typical potted flowering plant of ‘African Sunshine’, 18 weeks after planting of cutting.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a typical potted flowering plant of ‘African Sunshine’, 18 weeks after planting of cutting.

FIG. 3 shows the following typical plant parts of ‘African Sunshine’: A. Inflorescence; B. Inside a flower; C. Flower bud, site; D. Flower; E. Flower bud, top; F. Petal; G. Pistil; H. Sepal; I. Mature leaf; J. Young leaf.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘African Sunshine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Kalanchoe cultivar as grown in a greenhouse in Hinnerup, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in greenhouse at 64.4° F. at daytime and 68° F. during night. The cultivar was produced in either a 10.5 cm or a 13 cm pot. When grown in 13 cm pots, the cuttings were grown in a long day (16 hours light, 8 hours night) for the first 5 weeks. At week 6 after planting, the cultivar was grown in a short day (10 hours light, 14 hours dark). After 16 weeks in total, the cultivar would be ready for sale. When grown in 10.5 cm pots, the cuttings were grown in a long day for the first 7 weeks. At week 8 after planting, the cultivar was grown in a short day. After 17 weeks in total, the cultivar would be ready for sale. The cultivar was grown under natural light conditions supplemented with 70 μmol/m²/s SON-T light when the natural light was less than 100 μmol/m²/s. At a short day, the flowering was induced. The reaction time from day of induction to day of first opened flower was 74 days. The peat based soil mix was watered with a solution containing 200 parts per million (ppm) nitrogen, 200 ppm potassium and 40 phosphorous, 200 ppm calcium, 40 ppm magnesium, 60 ppm sulphate, 1 ppm iron, 0.6 ppm manganese, 0.1 ppm copper, 0.1 ppm zink, 0.3 ppm borium, 0.03 ppm molybdenum.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), published 1986, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12 a.m. in a greenhouse in Hinnerup, Denmark. The age of the plant described is 15 weeks (from the time the cutting was planted in growth medium to when the picture was taken).

-   Parentage:     -   -   Male or pollen parent.—K. blossfeldiana cultivar ‘Monroe’             (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,714).         -   Female or seed parent.—K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata             interspecific hybrid cultivar ‘KJ 2000 0716’ (disclosed in             U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,509). -   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific             hybrid cultivar ‘African Sunshine’ (2^(nd) generation             after K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid             back-crossed with K. blossfeldiana). -   Propagation: Vegetative terminal cuttings.     -   -   Rooting habit.—The cultivar has numerous, branched, fine and             fibrous roots.         -   Time to initiate roots.—It takes between one and two weeks             to initiate roots.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—It will take three weeks             to produce a well rooted cutting. In winter time, it can             take on week more. -   Plant: If the plants are grown according to the description above,     it will perform as described below. Variation from this should be     expected over the course of the year, and if the physical growing     conditions varies from the description.     -   -   Growth habit.—This cultivar is upright and uniform. The             flowers are formed above the top of the leaf canopy, but the             flowers will also appear between the leaves. The flowers are             assembled in numerous compound inflorescences ‘African             Sunshine’ is freely flowering with numerous compound cymes.         -   Growth rate.—Ready for sale after 16 weeks.         -   Branching habit and description.—Freely branching; typically             8 to 12 lateral branches develop per plant. Pinching             (removal of the terminal apex) is not mandatory, but will             enhance lateral branching. When grown in 10 cm pots the             cultivar is not pinched.         -   Height at flowering.—The height of the cultivar is about 25             cm from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant,             depending on the growth conditions.         -   Spread/diameter at flowering.—The diameter of the cultivar             at flowering is about 25 cm. -   Stems:     -   -   Appearance.—The cultivar has around 10 stems with none, one             or numerous leaf pairs on the stem. The inflorescence on the             top of the flower stem is branched giving an inverted             triangle with a rounded crown. Each branch has between 30             and 70 flowers. Aspect: The stem is strong. Length: The             length varies from 10 to 15 cm depending on growth             conditions. Texture: The texture of the stem is glabrous and             shining. Color: The color of the stem is dark green, RHS 137             B. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—The foliage is yellow-green with the same color             of the immature as well as the mature leaf, RHS 147 A. The             majority of the leaves are at the base of the plant, but             immature leaves appear also on the flowering stem.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—The leaves are divided as hastate,             dissected leaves.         -   Apex.—The form of the apex is obtuse.         -   Base.—The form of the base is cunate.         -   Length.—The length of the foliage varies from 6 cm for an             immature leaf to 12 cm for a mature leaf.         -   Width.—The width varies from 3 cm for an immature leaf to 9             cm for a mature leaf.         -   Margin.—The foliage has a dentate margin.         -   Texture.—The foliage is glabrous and shining.         -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: The color of the mature             leaf is a dark yellow-green color, and is closely described             with RHS 147 A, though it is a little greener. Immature             leaf: The immature leaf has the same color as the mature             leaf, a dark yellow-green color, and is closely described             with RHS 147 A, though it is a little greener.         -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: The color of the lower             surface is dark yellow-green and is closely describe with             RHS 147 A. Immature leaf: The immature leaf has the same             color as the mature leaf and is defined with RHS 147 A.         -   Venation color.—There is no visual appearance of veins.             Upper surface: No difference between the color of venation             and the rest of the leaf. Lower surface: No difference             between the color of venation and the rest of the leaf.         -   Petiole.—Length: The length of the petiole varies between an             immature and mature leaf. The length of an immature leaf is             about 0.75 cm. The length of a mature leaf is about 3 cm.             Diameter: The diameter of the petiole varies between an             immature and mature leaf. The diameter of an immature leaf             is 5 mm. The diameter of a mature leaf is 9 mm. Color:             Yellow-green, between RHS 147 A and 147 B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—The flower is a double-type with up             to 16 petals per flower. The average number of petals per             flower is 12.         -   Natural flowering season.—The flowering season is year             round, when grown according to description above. When             planting outside the flowering season will be in the summer             (April to October), depending on local climatic conditions.         -   Time to flower.—The time from start of short day treatment             to 1^(st) flower is about 66 days, approximately 1 week             longer in winter time.         -   Flowering stem length.—The length of the flowering stem is             ranging from 13 to 14 cm depending on the growth conditions.         -   Post production longevity.—‘African Sunshine’ maintain good             leaf and flower substance for at least 6 weeks under             interior environmental conditions.         -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—‘African Sunshine’             withstands wind, rain and direct sunlight, and can cope with             temperatures between 40 and 95 degrees F.         -   Fragrance.—‘African Sunshine’ has no fragrance.         -   Flower size.—The diameter of the flower range from 18 to 22             mm.         -   Overall shape.—The shape is rose-like, defined by at least 5             petals per flower.         -   Quantity.—‘African Sunshine’ produces a large number of             flower ranging from 250 to 300 flowers per plant.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: From the time when the bud is showing             color, the flower will open within 10 days. Color: The color             of the bud is yellow-green, RHS 145 B. Shape: The shape of             the bud is ellipsoidal with the smallest diameter toward the             base. Length: The length of the bud is about 1.3 cm.             Diameter: The diameter of the bud is about 3 mm at the base             and about 5 mm at the top.         -   Petal.—Quantity: Typically 13 to 16 petals fused at the             base. Shape: The shape of petal is oval. Length: The length             is about 7 mm. Width: The width is about 8 mm. Apex: The             shape of the apex is mucronate. Margin: The shape of the             margin can be described as entire. Texture: The texture of             the petals is soft, smooth and matte. Color when opening:             Upper surface: The upper surface of the petal is             yellow-orange, RHS 17 C. Lower surface: The lower surface of             the petal is yellow-orange, RHS 16A, with a twist of             orange-red, RHS 30 D. Color when fully open: Upper surface:             The upper surface of the petal is yellow-orange, RHS 15 A.             Lower surface: The lower surface the petal is yellow-orange,             RHS 16 A, with a twist of orange-red, RHS 30 D.         -   Sepal.—Quantity: Typically 4 sepals fused at the base.             Shape: The shape of sepal is lineal lanceolate. Length: The             length is 11 mm. Width: The width is 2 mm. Apex: The shape             of the apex is acute. Margin: The shape of the margin is             entire. Texture: The texture of the sepals is glabrous and             shining. Color when opening: Upper surface: The upper             surface of the sepal is green, close to RHS 146 A, but a             little greener. Lower surface: The lower surface of the             sepal is green, close to RHS 146A, but a little greener.             Color when fully open: Upper surface: The upper surface of             the sepal is green, close to RHS 146 A, but a little             greener. Lower surface: The lower surface the sepal is             green, close to RHS 146 A, but a little greener.         -   Peduncle description.—Length: Every flower has a peduncle             with a length of 3 mm. Color: The peduncle is dark green,             RHS 137 B. Texture: The peduncle is glabrous and shining.         -   Reproductive organs.—         -   Stamen.—Number: The flower has between 8 and 12 ten stamens.             Color: The color of the stamens is greyed-orange, RHS 177B.         -   Anthers.—Number: The number of anthers is between 8 and 12.             Size: The size of 1 mm in length. Color: The color of the             anthers is yellow-brown, RHS 14B.         -   Filament color.—The color of the filament is yellow-green,             RHS 145C.         -   Pollen color.—The color of the pollen is yellow, RHS 17C.         -   Pollen amount.—A high amount of pollen with a high pollen             fertility of 95%, depending on the time of year.         -   Pistil.—Number: The number of pistils is 4.         -   Stigma.—Shape: The shape of stigma is round. Color: The             color of the stigma is yellow-green, RHS 145A.         -   Style.—Shape: The shape of the style is thin and             cylindrical. Color: The color of style is yellow-green, RHS             145 A.         -   Ovary.—Color: The color of ovary is yellow-green, best             described between RHS 147A and 147B.         -   Seeds.—Number: Between 50 and 60 potential seeds per ovary.             Width: The width of the seeds is less than 0.5 mm. Length:             The length of the seeds is less than 1 mm. Shape: The shape             of the seeds is ellipsoidal. Color: The color of the             potential seeds is green, RHS 145 C.         -   Fruit (ovary).—Shape: The shape of the fruit is cylindrical.             Width: The width of the fruit is 1 mm. Length: The length of             the fruit is 6 mm. Color: The color of the fruit is             yellow-green, RHS 145 A. -   Disease resistance/susceptibility: No information on disease     resistance or susceptibility is currently available. 

1. A new and distinct K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid plant named ‘African Sunshine’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 